Basic
Social Conduct
Surah: An-Nur (21)
O Believers Do Not Follow the Steps of Satan — He Works Step by Step
لَا تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ
— النور الآية 21
Verse: "O believers, do not follow the footsteps of Satan — whoever follows his footsteps, he commands to indecency and wrong." (24:21) — "Footsteps" (khatwat) — plural of step. Satan does not command indecency directly — he leads you step by step. First step small and acceptable, then the next, until you find yourself where you never expected. Every great sin began with small acceptable steps: a permitted glance → another glance → attachment → seclusion → sin. Lesson: be vigilant about the first step — that is where it is easiest to turn back.
Source: Ibn Kathir (6/36); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
Why does the Quran say "footsteps" rather than "commands of Satan"?
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